Last week, the Idaho House of Representatives joined their Senate colleagues by passing S. 1292, the motorcyclist profiling bill in the state. When the governor signs the bill, Idaho will officially become the 4th state in the nation with a law on the books regarding motorcyclist profiling.

The MRF wants to congratulate not only the riders in Idaho but the tireless advocates who have fought this battle for several years. After a razor-thin defeat in previous legislative years, the folks in Idaho never gave up and were rewarded with this monumental victory.

We would like to note that Idaho’s success demonstrates that this is a nonpartisan issue. Two states that are usually thought of as “Blue States” (Washington and Maryland) and two states traditionally thought of as “Red States” (Louisiana and Idaho) are now on the record on the topic.

Congratulations again on a hard-fought and well-deserved victory!

Click here to read a news story about the victory in Idaho.

You can read the Idaho profiling legislation here.

Momentum for Infrastructure Bills?

Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), sending the massive stimulus legislation to the President’s desk to be signed into law. The $2 trillion coronavirus response bill is the third aid package from Congress is meant to keep businesses and individuals afloat during an unprecedented freeze on the majority of American life. For a variety of reasons, we believe there will likely be more stimulus legislation in the future, and infrastructure investment may be a central component of additional efforts to recover the economy and get people back to work.

Without a doubt, proposals for including sizable infrastructure spending in coronavirus response/economic stimulus bills will receive bipartisan support. There is a strong economic and fiscal basis for stimulus spending on roads, bridges, transit, etc. Infrastructure spending has a high multiplier effect, adding indirect economic value beyond the immediate investment in construction companies and related contractors or materials suppliers. A dollar spent on infrastructure can go further than many other forms of stimulus. State and local governments are also already facing declining revenues due to quarantines, diminished economic activity, and new public health expenditures. Many state constitutions prevent deficit spending, so absent new taxes – an unlikely scenario – they will be stymied in making new investments in stimulus-type programs, such as infrastructure, and may even have to curtail current road-building budgets.

Beyond the scope of infrastructure investment, funding will likely be front-loaded, rather than a typical year-over-year spread. The stimulus of 2009 focused on ‘shovel ready’ projects, which resulted in lots of repaving and maintenance versus large new projects, a similar focus on near-term efforts to quickly create jobs is foreseeable.

We at the MRF will continue to advocate for the priorities of motorcyclists in an infrastructure bill. We will also rely on you to help push your elected officials into remembering motorcyclists when passing these massive legislative packages.

Motorcycle Community Rallies to aid in COVID-19 Relief Around the World

As the COVID-19 National Emergency dominates your daily newsfeed, I wanted to take a moment to share a couple of positive stories of the motorcycle community stepping up to aid in relief efforts. The first story comes out of NYC were a group of riders started Masks for Docs to help get personal protection equipment (PPE) in the hands of our healthcare workers facing a critical supply shortage. You can read the full news story featured in Vice News here. The second article highlights motorcycle manufacturers and a tire manufacturer donating PPE’s, medical supplies, and ventilators to aid in the critical supply shortage. The story also features a few groups in other countries, helping those in quarantine by delivery prescriptions and meals to the elderly in their community. You can read more about those efforts by clicking here.

As schools around the country have shuttered, MRF Vice President Jay Jackson has been volunteering in his own local community in Indiana to hand out bagged meals for students. You can read that story here.

Bikers are some of the best people that I know. The D.C. team is hunkered down and working from home as Congress is closed to the public through March 31st. We will continue to review the massive legislation passed this week and plan to share more of the details with you next week.

As Congressional leaders seek to implement massive legislative initiatives in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis, numerous policy changes are being considered. Some of these initiatives are unrelated to the underlying situation and are being put forward by both political parties.

One legislative proposal put forward by the U.S. House of Representatives, H.R.6379 - Take Responsibility for Workers and Families Act, would ban lobbying by corporations that accept Federal aid in any stimulus legislation. You can read the legislative proposal in Section 407, CONDITIONS ON FEDERAL AID TO CORPORATIONS. We at the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) believe that one of the most important rights guaranteed in the First Amendment is the right to petition the government for a redress of grievances. The MRF prides itself on actively petitioning the government on motorcycle related issues and the curtailing of that right, even if not aimed at our organization, is troublesome. We understand that these are trying times, but any infringement on our fundamental Constitutional Rights is not the answer.

“While the MRF continues to monitor the ever-changing legislative initiatives out of both chambers, I want to let you know that we are still busy being a ‘watchdog’ on Capitol Hill,” stated MRF President Kirk “Hardtail” Willard. “I want to reassure you that we will continue to navigate and execute our political mission with our long-standing ‘Total Vigilance’ in the coming days and weeks.”

We will continue to monitor the legislation as it moves through Congress and keep you updated as it pertains to anything motorcycle related or the operations of the MRF.

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) is continually monitoring the ever-changing situation with the outbreak of COVID-19 around the country. First and foremost, we care about everyone’s safety, and are closely monitoring the situation and guidance from the Federal Government and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), to ensure we are giving you the most up-to-date information possible. Earlier today, the leadership of the MRF hosted a phone call to discuss the potential impacts of our lobby day, “Bikers Inside the Beltway,” which is slated to be held on Tuesday, May 19th in Washington, D.C. We have determined that we will proceed with lobbying on Capitol Hill as scheduled as we do not have any information that we will be prohibited from doing so at this time.

What we know right now?

As we reported in our “Riding Free from D.C.” weekly update, Congress decided to suspend any public access on Capitol Hill starting on March 12 through April 1, 2020. Over the weekend, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) issued a recommendation that for the next 8 weeks, events with 50 people or more cancel or postpone in-person events. Bikers Inside the Beltway would be outside of that window of the CDC recommendation. If anything changes in Federal Guidance in the coming weeks, we will continue to update you with that information as we receive it.

Making Travel Arrangements

Last week, we received communication from our event host hotels, Clarion Inn and Governor’s House Inn, to ensure us that they are working hard to ensure our event is successful. If you have already booked a room directly through the hotel, they have a standard 24-hour notice cancellation policy. If you booked through a third-party travel vendor, we advise you to review your bookings policy if you need to modify your travel plans. While most attendees ride to D.C., we understand that some of our members need to fly to D.C. for the event. If you haven’t booked your travel, we strongly encourage you to book options with built-in flexibility like free cancellation, changes or consider travel insurance if it’s offered.

BITB 2020 deadline to register online, order an event t-shirt and book your hotel room at the group rate is Monday, April 27th. If we feel that we might have to postpone the event, we will decide by that date to give everyone adequate notice to alter their travel plans. For more information or to register for the event, please visit https://mrf.org/events/

Making Moves on Motorcyclist Advisory Council Reauthorization Act

The MRF and our moto lobby friends are continuing to drive cosponsors to our bipartisan and bicameral MAC Reauthorization legislation. We are pleased that eight new cosponsors jumped on this week to stand with the motorcyclists around the country. H.R. 5234 added six new cosponsors and five new states this week, bringing the total to 20. While the Senate companion bill, S. 3249, picked up two more cosponsors and added one new state. It's worth noting that Wisconsin is the first state to secure both of their Senators on S. 3249.

H.R. 5234 Cosponsors

Original Cosponsors: Rep. Gallagher [R-WI-8], Rep. Pappas [D-NH-1], Rep. Rouda [D-CA-48] & Rep. Balderson [R-OH-12]

Rep. Davids [D-KS-3], Rep. Brownley [D-CA-26], Rep. Gibbs [R-OH-7], Rep. Grothman [R-WI-6], Rep. Lowenthal [D-CA-47], Rep. Rouzer [R-NC-7], Rep. Carbajal [D-CA-24], Rep. Sensenbrenner [R-WI-5], Rep. Huffman [D-CA-2], Rep. Young [R-AK-At Large]

New this week: Rep. Walberg [R-MI-7], Rep. Kind [D-WI-3], Rep. Burgess [R-TX-26], Rep. Bost [R-IL-12], Rep. Craig [D-MN-2], Rep. Lamborn [R-CO-5]

S. 3249 Cosponsors

Original Cosponsors: Sen. Johnson [R-WI] and Sen. Peters [D-MI]

Sen. Boozman [R-AR]

New this week: Sen. Shaheen [D-NH], Sen. Baldwin [D-WI]

I want to take a moment to share some preliminary results about the two MAC Calls to Action that we have been circulating. To date, 1,900 emails have been sent through our CQ Engage software to ask your elected officials to support this legislation. On the House side, Wisconsin leads the pack with the most letters sent, followed by Illinois and Texas. In the Senate, South Dakota is in the lead, followed by a tie between New York and Wisconsin. We appreciate everyone who has taken a few moments to contact their legislators on this issue, and we are more successful in meetings when they know that they have heard from you, their constituents on an issue. If you have not done so, you can use the links below. After you are done, be sure to share them with your SMRO friends or on social media.

MAC Call to Action Links

Ask your Senators to cosponsor S. 3249 here.

Ask your Representative to cosponsor H.R. 5234 here.

FAST Act Expires in 208 Days – Will there be a new Highway Bill in 2020?

Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act was signed into law in 2015 provides long-term funding for surface transportation infrastructure planning and investment is set to expire at the end of September 2020. The FAST Act authorized $305 billion over fiscal years 2016 through 2020 for highway, highway and motor vehicle safety, public transportation, motor carrier safety, hazardous materials safety, rail, and research, technology, and statistics programs. Traditionally, the Highway Authorization tends to be one of the few things on Capitol Hill that is not a partisan issue. However, the feeling in D.C. that since 2020 is a Presidential election year that this Congress may kick the can down the road and pass an extension this year instead of passing a new law.

Regulatory News: Ethanol Consumer Education Stakeholders meet with EPA

Last Friday afternoon, the Motorcycle Riders Foundation joined the National Marine Manufacturers, BoatUS, Marine Retailers Association, Briggs and Stratton, Outdoor Power Equipment Institute, American Motorcyclist Association, and the Motorcycle Industry Council for a meeting at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to discuss our concerns about inadequate E15 warning labels and lack of consumer education to prevent misfuelling at the pump.

The invitation to the EPA is a clear signal that the Administration is poised to take some future regulatory action surrounding bringing E15 to market. As you may remember, President Trump granted the EPA authority to allow the sale of E15 year-round. However, the EPA will need to address some current federal regulations surrounding fuel storage requirements and misfuelling mitigation plans. After sitting down with Anne Idsal, Deputy Assistant Administrator for the Office of Air and Radiation (OAR) at the EPA, our consumer education stakeholders group is preparing for the EPA to open a potential rulemaking in the coming months that will allow us to address our concerns about the current E15 label.

During the last Congress, we threw our support behind Consumer Protection and Fuel Transparency Act along with our consumer groups that are forbidden by federal law from using fuel with higher than 10% ethanol (E10). Understanding that higher blends of ethanol are not going anywhere, we joined forces to push consumer education and proper labeling about the dangers of misfuelling at the pump. Early last year, H.R. 1024 was introduced and has been slow to gain Congressional support. We support this legislation because it allows consumers to be educated on higher blends on ethanol to make their own choice about what t

A recent Harris Poll conducted by the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) found consumers remain confused about the multiple fuel product offerings at the pump. The study, which has been conducted annually for seven years, shows a lack of education, inadequate labeling and dangerous marketing tactics around new fuel products, such as higher ethanol-blended gasoline unleaded 88, are likely causing consumers to misfuel.

The study found that nearly two in five Americans (37 percent, up from 33 percent in 2019, 31 percent in 2017 and 2016, and 30 percent in 2015) mistakenly believe that higher ethanol blends of gasoline are safe to use for any gasoline-powered lawn equipment or other small engine products, such as boats or snowmobiles. For more details on their results, you can read there press release from this poll by clicking here.

State News: A.B.A.T.E. of Iowa comes to Capitol Hill – Arizona & Louisiana State Legislation Calls to Action

This week, the MRF had the pleasure of accompanying five members of A.B.A.T.E. of IA as they pounded the halls of Congress, letting their elected officials know what issues are important to the riders in their state. Over a few days, the team from Iowa was able to hit their whole Congressional delegation and even meet with some of their Representatives and Senators face to face. Below, Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) met with the A.B.A.T.E. of Iowa during their visit to D.C.

The MRF has been offering SMROs the option of utilizing our CQ software for their state legislative initiatives. Over the last year, a dozen states have decided to use the software to monitor legislation and to contact their politicians on the state level. As a lot of state legislative sessions have ended for the year, we have two states that have active Calls to Action in circulation for the riders in their state.

Attention Riders from Arizona & Louisiana

Arizona has a CTA for their Motorcycle Safety Fund. If you live in Arizona, you can click this link.

ABATE of Louisiana has four separate Calls to Action out for the riders in their state. The legislative session in Baton Rouge opens next week, and the motorcycle rights advocates are already letting the politicians know the issues they care about.

SB 52/HB 316, Vulnerable All Road Users Act (combined with HB 316)

HB 310, "Dead Red" Bill

HB 146, ABATE "Share the Road” License Plate

SB 50, Hands Free Electronic Devic

Motorcyclist Advisory Council Reauthorization Act Introduced in the Senate

 

Yesterday, Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI) and Senator Gary Peters (D-MI) introduced S. 3249, the Motorcyclist Advisory Council Reauthorization Act. The bipartisan legislation aims to define the membership seats of the Motorcyclist Advisory Council (MAC), ensure more national motorcycle organizations are represented and authorizes the council for six years. The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) would like to thank the U.S. Senate for joining their colleagues in the House of Representatives for continuing to support the issues that are important to the motorcyclists of this country. The legislation is the companion bill to H.R. 5234 introduced in late November in the House of Representatives by Reps. Mike Gallagher (WI-R), Chris Pappas (NH-D), Harley Rouda (CA-D), and Troy Balderson (OH-R). “It is critical that motorcyclists be considered in infrastructure planning,” said MRF Vice President Jay Jackson. “The Motorcyclist Advisory Council provides this forum. The MRF is excited to have the opportunity to present to the MAC, the issues of concern from riders across the country.” This legislation clarifies the membership of the MAC which now will include five highway engineering experts from state or local governments, one state or local traffic safety engineer who is a motorcyclist, one roadway safety data expert on crash testing and analysis, and one representative from each of the following groups: a national association of state transportation officials, a national motorcyclist foundation, a national motorcyclist association, a national motorcycle manufacturing association, and a national safety organization. “Wisconsin has a rich history with motorcycles and we know it’s crucial to get input from the motorcycle community about how to keep roads safe and enjoyable for all,” said Sen. Johnson. “Government needs to be responsive, efficient and effective. Making sure motorcyclists have a voice and a seat at the table is beneficial for everyone.” The MAC will advise the Secretary of Transportation, the Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and the Administrator of the Federal Highway Administration on transportation issues of concern to motorcyclists, including barrier design; road design, construction, and maintenance practices; and the architecture and implementation of intelligent transportation system technologies. “There’s no better way to see all that Michigan has to offer than by riding a motorcycle,” said Senator Peters., co-chair of the bipartisan Senate Motorcycle Caucus. “As a motorcycle owner and rider, I’m proud to introduce bipartisan legislation to better give riders and manufacturers a voice on decisions impacting them.”

Nominees Wanted for the 2020 Motorcycle Riders Foundation Hall of Fame The Motorcycle Riders Foundation Hall of Fame (MRFHOF) was introduced at the Meeting of the Minds in Denver, Colorado. This institution was created to recognize individuals that have worked through the MRF to positively impact motorcycling. The Motorcycle Riders Foundation is proud to announce that the nomination process for the next class of inductees into the MRFHOF is now open. The nomination form and a timeline are posted on the MRF website at:  https://mrf.org/mrf-hall-of-fame/ Nomination applications are due to the Hall of Fame Committee by March 1st, 2020 – please send completed forms to dawn@mrf.org Past Motorcycle Riders Foundation Hall of Fame inductees are: Keith "Bandit"  Ball, Karen Bolin, Mark Buckner, Vince Consiglio, Wayne Curtin, Michael "Balls" Farabaugh, “Still” Ray Fitzgerald, Richard Gray, Fredric Harrell, Teresa Hepker, Bob Illingworth, Nathan "Buck"  Kittredge, Simon Milward, Ed Netterberg, JoAnne Packard, Sherman Packard, Lee Richardson, Rodney Roberts, Jerry "JT" Thomas, Todd Vandermyde, Paul Vestal, Penny Walker, Ed Youngblood.

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation would like to congratulate Mark Buckner, past president, longtime leader and MRF Freedom Fighter Hall of Fame member on his induction into the American Motorcycle Association (AMA) Motorcycle Hall of Fame. On Friday December 6th, during the 2019 AMA Legends & Champions Weekend.

 

Mark Buckner began his leadership in motorcyclists' rights advocacy in the late 1980s as the state coordinator for ABATE of Colorado. In 1992, Buckner joined the Motorcycle Riders Foundation board of directors, becoming MRF president and chairman two years later. During his tenure, the MRF implemented strategic planning processes which led to the organization's financial stability and significant growth.

 

 

Buckner continues to have a profound influence in the motorcyclists' rights community, giving seminars throughout the United States on strategic planning, organizational design and member effectiveness. Over the past 25 years, he has delivered more than 100 presentations around the country at state, regional, and national rights conferences. In addition, Buckner has been a leader in promoting global harmonization of motorcyclists' rights organizations in the United States and has fostered working relationships within the European motorcyclists' rights community—bonds that remains strong to this day.

 

 

Rob Rasor, former AMA President introduced Mark to the attendees while Rick Gray past MRF VP and AMA Chairman of the Board accepted on Mark's behalf; several current and former MRF Board members were in attendance. Other inductees were Kurt Caselli, Ron Lechien, Wiltz Wagner and Dale Walksler. Kirk “Hardtail” Willard, MRF Chairman of the Board had this to say, “We couldn't be more pleased to see Mark recognized by yet another motorcyclist Hall of Fame,  without question the MRF has maintained our ability to deliver on our mission and vision due to Mark's timely leadership and unique skill-set.  I suspect many SMRO's around the country could say the same.” Congratulations Mark! A well-deserved honor for many years as a Motorcycling Rights Freedom Fighter.

For Immediate Release

November 21, 2019

 

HOUSE INTRODUCES MOTORCYCLIST ADVISORY COUNCIL REAUTHORIZATION ACT

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Congressmen Mike Gallagher (R-WI) along with Reps. Chris Pappas (D-NH), Harley Rouda (D-CA), and Troy Balderson (R-OH) introduced bipartisan legislation, MotorcycIist Advisory Council Reauthorization Act.  The bill reauthorizes the Motorcyclist Advisory Council (MAC) for six years and ensures national motorcycle organizations regain seats on the council.

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF), along with our partners ABATE of Wisconsin, ABATE of Ohio, Harley-Davidson, and American Motorcyclist Association, have been hard at work over the past month ensuring the future MAC membership is representative of the riding community.  This legislation clarifies the membership of MAC which now will include five highway engineering experts from state or local governments, one state or local traffic safety engineer who is a motorcyclist, one roadway safety data expert on crash testing and analysis, and one representative from each of the following groups: a national association of state transportation officials, a national motorcyclist foundation, a national motorcyclist association, a national motorcycle manufacturing association, and a national safety organization.

“As the feds address the vast roadway infrastructure issues and emerging technologies surrounding vehicles and roads, there isn't a more appropriate time to re-establish the Motorcycle Advisory Council,” said Kirk “Hardtail” Willard, President of the Motorcycle Riders Foundation.  “It was originally and effectively designed to give motorcyclists a voice with regards to the unique challenges we face on two and three wheels when it comes to roadway design.”

The MRF is encouraged that this legislation will ensure that motorcyclists will continue to have an open dialogue with government officials about the unique characteristics and challenges that motorcyclists face when they are not adequately considered or accounted for as infrastructure programs are being discussed and implemented. We want to acknowledge and commend the relationships that our state motorcyclist rights organizations (SMROs), specifically ABATE of Wisconsin and ABATE of Ohio, established with their elected officials through attending events such as our annual lobby day, Bikers Inside the Beltway.  This event, along with active engagement with members of Congress in their home districts,  helps the MRF identify the champions of motorcycle issues and achieve our goals.

 “We are pleased that our elected representatives from the state of Wisconsin continue to lead the charge in advocating on behalf of the motorcyclists in the country,” said Steve Panten, Legislative Director for ABATE of Wisconsin, Inc. “I am encouraged that years of building relationships, both in our State and by coming to Washington, D.C., every year, continues to elevate our issues on Capitol Hill. We urge other SMRO’s to take the opportunity to do the same.”

The MAC, initially authorized in the SAFETEA-LU in 2005, allotted four of the ten members to consist of representatives from the motorcycling community from various state and federal motorcycle associations. In the FAST Act of 2015, Congress re-established the Motorcyclist Advisory Council in the Highway Bill to advise the Federal Highway Administration on “issues of concern to motorcyclists.” However, the MRF was disappointed the re-established MAC only included one seat for a representative of a national motorcycle organization.

The Motorcyclist Advisory Council provides the Secretary of the Department of Transportation (DOT), the Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and the Administrator of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) with expert first-hand knowledge of motorcycle issues. “Motorcycle registration is at an all-time high, but this increasing popularity has brought with it increasing risks, such as fatal accidents,” said Rep. Gallagher. “Motorcycles require specific – and in some cases different – requirements of roads, and we need an open dialogue between the motorcycle community, infrastructure experts, and the federal government to discuss these challenges.”  The MAC serves as the only official forum for the motorcycle community to have an open dialogue with the federal government to discuss concerns with infrastructure design, issues with intelligent transportation systems, and other areas of safety affecting motorcycles on the road.

“With the number of motorcycles currently on the road, it is critical that the road designers and transportation engineers understand the way that motorcycles and motorcyclists interact with the roadways as well as other vehicles using those same roads,” said Ed Schetter, Executive Director for ABATE of Ohio, Inc.  “Motorcyclists need to be present to help recognize those needs and ensure that motorcycles maintain their place on the road and can be safely operated into a future where technology is creating more and more challenges.”

 

For Immediate Release November 20, 2019 Senate Hearing - Highly Automated Vehicles: Federal Perspectives on the Deployment of Safety Technology   Today the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation held a hearing entitled Highly Automated Vehicles: Federal Perspectives on the Deployment of Safety Technology.  This hearing comes on the heels of a National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) board meeting yesterday regarding the investigation of a March 2018 crash of an Uber Autonomous Vehicle (AV) that resulted in the death of a pedestrian in Tempe, Arizona. The NTSB released some startling revelations in their investigation of the 2018 deadly crash. Among those that the software did not properly identify the victim as a pedestrian, it did not adequately assess safety risks and the operator of the vehicle was watching a TV show on her phone and was not watching the road. Additionally, the NTSB cited an “inadequate safety culture” at Uber. The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) applauds the NTSB and the U.S. Senate for holding public hearings on AV technology and safety concerns. The MRF is committed to fighting for the safety of motorcyclists as this new technology is deployed on our nation’s roadways. While we are hopeful that this technology can reduce accidents on our nation’s roads, we agree with the statement of Chairman Roger Wicker (R-MS) when he said of AV technology “I think a healthy degree of skepticism is a good thing.” During today’s Senate hearing, it was especially important that two U.S. Senators specifically addressed the concerns of motorcyclists during the hearing. In a question directed to Joel Szabat, Acting Under Secretary of Transportation for Policy, U.S. Department of Transportation Senator John Thune (R-SD) asked, “In developing a regulatory framework for AVs can you speak to how other roadways users such as motorcycles are considered?” The Assistant Secretary responded by saying “Motorcyclists are well incorporated in the development of policy in the department.” Senator Gary Peters (D-MI) echoed Senator Thune’s interest in motorcycles when he said, “I am avid motorcyclist. The number one reason for accidents is a car hitting a motorcyclist or a car pulling out in front of a motorcyclist.” Other Senators include Sen. Cantwell (D-WA) raised concerns about the current deployment of AVs without minimum standards from the federal government, “We need some standards.” In response, Robert Sumwalt, Chairman of the NTSB agreed by saying that “Whatever is working now is not working as well as it should.” We at the MRF agree that minimum standards should be in place as this new technology becomes more and more prevalent on the roads we all share. Chairman Sumwalt of the NTSB closed the hearing with this statement, “I think that AV technology holds great promise to improve safety, but it has to be done properly.” We at the MRF could not agree more. MRF President Kirk “Hardtail” Willard stated, "As a motorcyclist it offends me when bureaucrats are discussing various inevitable, emerging vehicle and advanced roadway technologies they default to classifying us as vulnerable and in need some sort of protection.  I would rather and especially in the specific case of Autonomous Vehicles we be thoroughly considered and fully recognizable and therefore not needing extra protection.  As with anything affecting motorcyclists this is another example where the Motorcycle Riders Foundation will demand we remain a significant part of the strategy for roadway users." You can read the opening statements or watch the hearing by clicking the link below: Highly Automated Vehicles: Federal Perspectives on the Deployment of Safety Technology   About Motorcycle Riders Foundation The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) provides leadership at the federal level for states’ motorcyclists’ rights organizations as well as motorcycle clubs and individual riders. The MRF is chiefly concerned with issues at the national and international levels that impact the freedom and safety of American street motorcyclists. The MRF is committed to being a national advocate for the advancement of motorcycling and its associated lifestyle and works in conjunction with its partners to help educate elected officials and policymakers in Washington and beyond.

For Immediate Release September 25th, 2019 Celebration of Life - Jeffrey M. McCubbin

Jeffrey M. McCubbin was born November 4, 1950, fourth child, to Max McCubbin and Muriel Burke McCubbin of Conrad, Iowa. He spent his formative years attending the Conrad schools where he was known to have driven his tractor to school. He worked the family farm with his brother Jay and his father until he married Lee Huff from Marshalltown in June of 1973. Together Jeff and Lee raised two daughters, Robin, and Rene in Forest City, Iowa, where they made their permanent home. Jeff is survived by his siblings: Jean, Jay, Jane and Heidi, wife of 47 years Lee, and daughters Robin and Rene. He was blessed with 7 grandchildren and adored his two fur babies. He is remembered by many area motorcycle enthusiasts as their happy smiley Motorcycle Education Teacher. In his 30 years with Rider Ed. and ABATE of Iowa District 7, he held many leadership roles, established Freedom Park in Algona, and led his community in philanthropic efforts benefiting a variety of local individuals and agencies in need. Jeff was an auto mechanic by trade and worked for ARA Vending, Winnebago Industries and finally fulfilled a lifelong dream of starting his own business, McCubbin Trophy & Engraving with wife, Lee. He enjoyed tinkering under the hood of a car, camping at Freedom Park with his many close friends, and opening up the throttle on his 1981 Sturgis Classic Double Belt Drive Harley Davidson. He also loved riding his tractor around his acreage, and the satisfaction of cracking open a cold beer. He was a colorful storyteller and famously recounted the night he unknowingly sat around the campfire with Willie G Davidson on one of his many trips to Sturgis. Jeff's Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, September 28. "Jeff's Last Ride" will depart from the Forest City Rider Ed. Range, Winnebago Gate 1 parking lot at 1:00. The ride will complete at Freedom Park in Algona. His celebration begins at 2:00. All cars and motorcycles are welcome. Please direct memorial donations to Hospice of North Iowa or ABATE Dist. 7 Food Pantry.

About Motorcycle Riders Foundation The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) provides leadership at the federal level for states’ motorcyclists’ rights organizations as well as motorcycle clubs and individual riders. The MRF is chiefly concerned with issues at the national and international levels that impact the freedom and safety of American street motorcyclists. The MRF is committed to being a national advocate for the advancement of motorcycling and its associated lifestyle and works in conjunction with its partners to help educate elected officials and policymakers in Washington and beyond.

All Information contained in this release is copyrighted. Reproduction permitted with attribution. Motorcycle Riders Foundation. All rights reserved. Ride With The Leaders ™ by joining the MRF at http://mrf.org/ or call (202) 546-0983